For hands I usually start with basic shapes, yet fluid and natural. Here's an example: https://ibb.co/c83FDcQ. I usually imagine the fingers being french fries, and the palm of the hand being a lopsided fry holder or something. I also look at my own hand for reference, it's usually time consuming but worth it in the end.

You know how some people draw face lines vertically? You can do that with the fingers. The thumb is a bit more complicated, because the vertical line curves towards the palm. There is also a fatty area at the end of the thumb (imagine that as a potato I guess lol). It changes depending on what pose the hand is in. Here's a video on that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHQodiNiRYU

For a cartoon like hand, focus on the proportion. For a more realistic hand, focusing on the proportion, joints, and texture would be my advise.

I personally have trouble with backgrounds, and I'm currently trying to improve, but I'll try and help! Background are based on perspective, and it's important to trace eye level. Basically, define the proportion and don't make an animal the size of a person or any other ridiculous size (unless it's purposeful). Here's an example: https://ibb.co/Gv8r8HD

Background Steps: 1. Draw Perspective lines 2. Set the main elements (sky, foreground, mountains, etc...) 3. Draw secondary elements (sun, road, trees, etc...) 4.) Add perspective elements (adding smt from behind or ahead, like bushes) and finally, add details! (like clouds)

I hope I could help! These are things that I do to help myself, so you can change it up a little for yourself. 👍